METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING LIGHTING VIA A GRID SYSTEM OF A SUSPENDED CEILING
First Claim
1. A lighting interface component that forms at least a portion of a grid system for a suspended ceiling, comprising:
- a central channel portion having first and second structural support members;
said first structural support member having a first flange, said first flange configured to support a first ceiling tile;
said second structural support member having a second flange, said second flange configured to support a second ceiling tile;
a cross member positioned between said first and said second structural support member and having a plurality of conductive tracks positioned on a first surface;
said cross member receiving at least one lighting unit on said first surface, said lighting unit positionable along said cross member;
a plurality of cooling features extending from a second surface of said cross member and into an enclosed air handling plenum;
wherein said enclosed air handling plenum forms an air flow channel within said central channel portion;
said lighting unit in thermal connectivity with said plurality of cooling features of said cross member;
wherein heat generated by a plurality of light sources positioned on said lighting unit is dissipated by at least some of said plurality of cooling features of said cross member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for providing sources of light, or mechanical and/or electrical connections for light sources, via a grid system of a suspended ceiling. All or a portion of a grid system for a suspended ceiling may be configured to support the generation of light. Lighting units may be coupled to various portions of the grid system in a removable and modular fashion, so as to be completely or substantially recessed above the ceiling surface, or as pendant components hanging below the ceiling surface. Lighting interface components of the grid system also may be configured to facilitate significant thermal dissipation from lighting units. In one exemplary implementation, one or more LED-based lighting units may be coupled to one or more lighting interface components of the grid system so as to provide controllable multi-color and/or essentially white light.
55 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A lighting interface component that forms at least a portion of a grid system for a suspended ceiling, comprising:
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a central channel portion having first and second structural support members; said first structural support member having a first flange, said first flange configured to support a first ceiling tile; said second structural support member having a second flange, said second flange configured to support a second ceiling tile; a cross member positioned between said first and said second structural support member and having a plurality of conductive tracks positioned on a first surface; said cross member receiving at least one lighting unit on said first surface, said lighting unit positionable along said cross member; a plurality of cooling features extending from a second surface of said cross member and into an enclosed air handling plenum; wherein said enclosed air handling plenum forms an air flow channel within said central channel portion; said lighting unit in thermal connectivity with said plurality of cooling features of said cross member; wherein heat generated by a plurality of light sources positioned on said lighting unit is dissipated by at least some of said plurality of cooling features of said cross member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A lighting interface component that forms at least a portion of a grid system for a suspended ceiling, comprising:
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first and second structural support members extending downwards to respective first and second flange members; said first and second structural support members forming an open internal area for receiving a cross member support, said cross member support firmly retained between said first and said second structural support member; said cross member support further having a plurality of electrical contacts extending longitudinally thereon; wherein said first and said second flanges are configured to support portions of respective first and second ceiling tiles; a lighting unit having a linear base member received between said first and said second structural support member; said lighting unit further having a first housing extending upwards from a first end of said linear base unit, said first housing having a plurality of contacts; wherein said linear base member has an upper surface with a plurality of cooling surface features; said lighting unit retained by said cross member support; said cross member support forming an air channel such that said plurality of cooling surface features extend into said air channel and facilitate the cooling of said lighting unit by dissipation of heat into said channel. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A lighting interface component that forms at least a portion of a grid system for a suspended ceiling, comprising:
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a housing having a first and a second structural support member, each of said first and said second structural support member ending in an outwardly extending flange; a cross member support having a plurality of longitudinally extending conductive tracks on a first surface; a hollow air flow conduit formed above said cross member support and between said first and said second structural support; wherein said cross member support has a plurality of thermal conductive features on a second surface extending into said hollow air flow conduit; a plurality of lighting units retained on said cross member support, each of said lighting units having at least one LED affixed to a substrate, said substrate having a plurality of electrical contacts which engage said plurality of longitudinally extending conductive tracks on said first surface of said cross member support; wherein said substrate is in thermal transfer engagement with said plurality of thermal conductive features on said second surface of said cross member support thereby dissipating heat energy from said at least one LEDs into said hollow air flow conduit.
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Specification